Prayers are Answered - February 18, 2012

Mi semana fue poco loco porque los cambios. The new people came in on Tuesday and I had to give another short presentation about money and their cards. Then I had to buy them food for lunch and pay for the dinner at Presidents house. Wednesday was changes and I had to pay for the breakfast of the new people. I cashed a check that morning and I went through the whole check that day. I had no idea what goes into running a mission. We opened up two new areas but it was a scramble to get the beds and things for the houses. Then I had lots of people asking me money questions. President said that changes are the busiest day for the financial secretary and boy do I agree with that. I did however get to spend some time with those that are leaving cause their mission is over. They were here at the church until around 12:30 or 1 in the morning when their bus left. I got to watch Tangled with them so that was way fun. They finally left and I got some of my work ready for the next day and finally left the office close to 2 am. Very long day. I had a cool experience this last week with prayer. I was preparing a check for the mission a couple days after I had received and cashed the other check. As I was preparing the check my program said that I was missing 3000 quets. I was shocked. I had just cashed a check on Friday and I did not make any large purchases since that day or give out that much money. I was really stressed about where that money was. We were short on money and I needed the new check but I could not get it until I had fixed the 3000. I searched all over almost tearing my office apart. I was searching and searching through my brain about what I did with the money. I said 2 or 3 prayers about finding the money. I finally really needed more money so I worked out the paper but I was still missing the 3000. I had a thought it could have been a fault with the bank but I did not know for sure. 2 days later when I went to the bank for a different check. One lady that works there said she needed to talk with me. She said she had made an error and has 3000 quets I was missing. My heart and spirit jumped for joy. I did not lose the 3000, it was the bank like I thought. I was relieved and strengthened my testimony of prayer. My problem was not made right in the instant I wanted it to be, but I prayed and put my faith in God, did all on my part to find it. Then a little later my prayer was answered and I knew I was being looked after. It was very amazing. It was strange seeing the others leave. I thought wow, that will be me in a year. Does not feel like it. The Book of Mormon page is great. I read it in Spanish in 2 months and 11 days at the very beginning of my mission and I did it in Spanish. Very exciting. But more then anything it is a cool paper to track your progress. I love that we can be together forever. That is one more reason I'm so excited about going to the temple with you and the family is to get a preview of what it will be like together in heaven. I really liked sending the card to Card´s mom. (haha that sounded kinda fun card to Card's mom. Or imagine when I send a card to Card. haha). They are great people and I would love to plan a trip later to go see Elder Card and his family in Washington and see Seattle. But she is right you are an amazing mother and were great to me and raised me very well. What a nice Valentine's Day. Roses, a great sounding movie, and steak and lobster. Sounds delicious. I think it is great you are mixing Spanish and Ingles. That is a great way to learn. Say all you can in Spanish and what you can't say it in English. Just keep practicing and learning and you will get it in no time. I remember in the CCM we played Cabeza, cara, hombros, pies. It was fun. we also played a word game that has to do with saying limon and a number and if you mess up you lose a limon. You say what someone elses number to pass to them. It was to work on saying words faster. That's cool that your teacher learned in España on a mission. I want to take some more Spanish classes when I get back I think to keep improving my Spanish. I am way happy you're learning and liking it so we can talk and you can understand things from my President and mission. I got a great letter from Grandpa and he said when he was in his mission for about a year he was a secretary in the office too. I love the letters that Nana and Grandpa write me. Grandpa is my role model I want to be like him. I also got a great letter package from the Stevens family. Jessica's niece made me a picture, I got letters from the family saying they really love me and are so proud of me and are excited to share with me when I get home. I got pics too. It was very kind and thoughtful. I keep thinking how blessed I am and that I am one of the luckiest guys in the world. I have a mom who is the best missionary mom, correction the BEST MOM ever. I have a family that loves me and supports me. Grandparents that love writing me and pray for me, and put my name in the temple all the time. Aunts and cousins that cheer me on and let me share with them. Friends extremely close to me, my brother David who is willing to do anything for me and really looks after me. Jessica and her family that think the best of me. It is through the love and support of the many incredibly wonderful people in my life that I know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me. I love you mom and I am proud to be your son and have a mom like you. I love you with all my heart. Can't wait to hear more about your week and hear more of your wonderful Spanish. Te amo con todo mi corazon y estoy anticipando su proxima carta.
Your loving Elder Son

Happy Valentine's Day - February 11, 2012

Buenos días Mamá, estoy muy bien. Hoy está bonita y estoy feliz para leer su carta y escribirle. That is sad that Kahlua was sick, got cancer, and was put down. That would be really hard for sis because she has had that dog forever. I agree that it was good that Corinne was there and that Nana and Grandpa had a dinner and talked with her. I send her my love. It sounds like you have had a very different winter. Sounds very crazy that you have so much rain you have to buy a bigger water pump. Will it be a little more difficult to complete the pool because now there is a house next to us so you can't bring trucks in there? That is so cool about your Spanish class. It's very true that you will be able to understand it more by reading and even hearing but speaking is a little different. Mainly cause you have so many conjugations for one word and many for past preterit, past imperfect, present, future, and conditional. But I'm excited that you are learning and can understand. Sounds like a good idea about speaking, writing the words, and drawing pictures. That is what the program Rosetta Stone does and people learn much faster. I would like to continue to practice and talk with you both in Spanish when I get home. We can have taco Tuesday but include only speaking Spanish or Spanglish. What I really want is that you can understand Spanish when I give my final testimony of the mission. I think it is cool that in your Spanish class you met some people that really like scuba diving and became friends with them. Did you tell them about your 2nd trip to the Philippines? I like your idea a lot about coming home to get released then returning and visiting with you and with your friend that knows Guatemala really well. I would like that more because first I would finish my mission completely and 2nd because it would be nice to come back being released and not needing a comp. Would we come back shortly after I got home or what would you be thinking? Of course we have a lot of time to plan this later and think about it. Last Saturday we watched a movie together in the office. We saw Charly. I have never seen that movie before and it is really good, but sad too. It made me think about how blessed we are that we have the gospel and the plan of salvation that no matter what heartache or pain comes our way things will eventually be better and we will have each other for eternity. The movie really made me think of the blessings of the temple and once again marriage and my own family. I don't think I have ever thought this much about marriage and family before. Seems like the mission really brings that to my mind. The general conference talking a lot about marriage, teaching about eternal families, the goal of preparing others for the temple, learning habits and skills that will bless my future family. I'm ready for the next phase of my life after the mission. We had a very interesting day Thursday. Two of the office elders were coming back from Coatepeque in the Corolla car. I was in the office that night and it started to rain and rain very hard. The power went off a couple times in the office and then went out for a couple hours. The church has a large metal fence/wall outside with a remote controlled door to let the cars in and out. When the power goes out the doors don't work so we are stuck in the office. It finally came back on and we received a call from the two elders out in the pouring rain. They got a flat tire then the battery died in the car. We drove out to rescue them in the truck. We got very wet, and a bit cold. We changed the tire and gave the car a jump but after that the car would not go faster then 10mph. Not sure why. So we ended up towing them but with a little rope we had, this rope is the width of my finger and we used it to tie some beds down we were moving in the truck. Amazingly the rope did not break and we safely arrived at the office at 12:30 at night. Still not sure what is wrong with the car. We are waiting for someone here to fix it. What another adventure here in the office. Oh and I have a little bit of sad news. This week we got 4 new sister missionaries from Mexico and had a little change meeting. I got to give my first presentation about funds and money. I did pretty good. But after, the sad part is, that Elder Card got changes and left the office a week before changes. So once again I had to part ways with Elder Card. It was very sad because we get along very well. He is very funny, nice, and spiritual. He is a great missionary, my best comp, and my dear friend. However, because I'm in the office I have more chances to see him and I think I will be here for his last change meeting so that is exciting. Well Mom I have written you a small book. hhahah. So I will tell you I really love you. You're the best mom ever! Happy early Valentines Day. I cho-cho-choose you. ahahaha. I love you and love your letters. I am very glad you are going to read the Book of Mormon completely. I just finished and I really loved it again. I'm going to send you a paper I used that is a guide to read the Book of Mormon in 3 months. You can do that or read it in a longer time but it will be fun to keep track of your progress. Love you much and I keep you in my prayers. Hope your week is wonderful and I can't wait to hear about it next week.
Love forever Elder Son

A Week of Conferences - February 4, 2012

Mi semana fue muy bien. This last week we had a conference with the zone leaders on Tuesday, a conference with the district leaders, and Thursday we went to different zones to be a part of their planning session and share things from the conferences. The conference was really good, I learned a lot from President Maravilla. That is one thing I really love about the office. I get to go to many conferences and learn from President and because he comes to work in the office a lot I get to talk with him more and learn other things. We had a good talk in the office the other day about studying the scriptures. He is very spiritual, loving, and a great man. I really look up to him. We had a office meeting before the conferences and it was very spiritual. We were talking about some changes to the mission and I could see the revelation that President and the Elders had. Very awesome. I felt the earthquake a week ago. It was crazy I was working in my office and the building started shaking. Biggest earthquake I have personally felt. You're getting neighbors? Wow that would be weird to see the empty field now changing and with time turn into a house. They sound like good people. Only downside is that will make the pool a little more difficult to complete right? But no biggy. That is so good you're taking a Spanish class. I really want you to. It will help a lot only speaking in Spanish. That is what my teacher did at Weber, and it helped a lot. That is so cool. Now we can practice Spanish together and you can understand more of the news letters and even President if you ever talk to him. Lunch sounds very fun. Nana and Grandpa have wrote me about the tv and how they really watch a lot of movies now. They love the tv and did not know how much they like relaxing and watching a movie at the end of the day. I'm happy for them, they really have had that tv for a long long time and I'm positive that they are loving the difference of quality. I want to see this fish tank when its done. I have seen pics of tanks like that and they are very cool. Has she done anymore with workers comp? So I don't know if you have heard, but Nana wrote me about their day with Kembree. For dinner they used the old place mats that you girls had. She got to pick any of them and she chose yours with the Colt and the Mare. During dinner Grandpa wanted to teach her a little and was explaining about what you call the mama horse and baby. Every meal she would use the same placemat and ask Grandpa again. When they went home she told her mom that she was eating on a Coke and Mary. What a little cutie pie. She would also look at the pics on the wall and see me and say that's my Jensen, then smile. I love that little girl. That is also cute that Camden asked about me, he misses his buddy at our house. I'm almost done reading the Book of Mormon again. I just started Ether. The Book of Mormon is so good and I have learned a lot. For my pday today we are going to try and go bowling. I never imagined I would do that in Guatemala. We tried last week but some kids had the place for all day so we couldn't go. Anyways this week has been good and I'm excited for the change meeting in two weeks to see my friends and learn new things. I think the office is a great experience for me. Mom we as missionaries focus a lot on commitments and putting dates with people so I'm going to try one with you. When is the soonest you could get a temple recommend and go do some temple work? We talked about temples the other day with President. There are so many people here in Central America that have to drive 8 hours to go to a temple. We are blessed in Utah with so many temples right by our house that I want us to take every opportunity we have with this great blessing. They are amazing blessings that will help us all. I know I am going to go very often when I get home. I even have the opportunity to go to the Xela temple a couple times in the mission. President got permission that we can go this month or next month. That is so exciting and amazing. Big news for the mission. I love you and love reading your letters. I love your support and everything you do for me. We are best friends and I'm one proud boy that you're my mama. Can't wait to read your next letter and write again. LOVE YOU! Love Elder Son

Sleep over in the office with movie night

Mi hermano y nuestra fiesta de pijamas

The outside shoes are what our shoes look like in the morning. The other is at the end of the day covered in dust.

Great Week - January 28, 2012

Buenas, I have to get used to my pdays on Saturday too. I love the changes. There are some times when the phone calls I get are not fun. For example, when people received all their money but used it all and now they say they need more, or when elders leave a debt in their last area and I call them to say we will be taking that money, then I get a "he said she said" thing and have to decide who is right and what to do. But I really do enjoy this new companionship and calling. I read about the dinner at the Beus's. Sounded so wonderful and Michelle is amazing with the slide show. You are right that I get the dearelders a little bit faster now so that is nice. Another trip to the Philippines around Thanksgiving would be amazing. Pretty nice that there was a delay cause now you got a free trip pretty much. It's like what we are learning from President right now that challenges are not challenges they are opportunities. Tell Milt Happy Birthday for me. That's cool that Scott did that for Hunter and that he really liked it. One step at a time right. The construction in your office sounds crazy but the office should be really nice when it is done and as you said your job is super great. That is great about my taxes thank you. You will have to show me how next year. Elder Card's mom is so great. Did I tell you that in a package Elder Card got his family sent a football jersey from Seattle for me but when Elder Card got it he saw it was a XL and would be way big for me but the gesture was very sweet. I love being with Elder Card again. He is so nice, funny, and very spiritual. In a meeting we had he made comments that were revelation President really needed. I really respect Elder Card and am blessed to work with him again. I will take and send more pics of us and him. His mom sent him a dearelder and he got way excited, "I got one." He opened it and it was from his mom to him and I but a little more to me. He was a little bummed. It was very sweet saying how glad she is that we are comps and that we are awesome. I'm very blessed to be his friend and I think I will plan a trip to Washington after the mission. I saw his house on Google earth it was cool. I think it is great you are helping the priests practice teaching and your idea for treats I think would be very nice. They will learn a lot and I always learn a lot when others teach me it too so it will be very good. We are learning that the things we learn from Preach My Gospel can be applied to all aspects of our life after the mission too so that is really cool and a wonderful book for us. I got a letter from Brent on the 8th. I love the letters from them. They are so great and I will always be their friend. They said they are so glad we let them do the Fairwell and Brent is thankful I went scuba diving with him and used my time right before I left. I was extremely glad to go. Scuba diving and time with Brent is a memory I will always cherish. He said that the mission is like a garden so just dig it and keep planting those seeds. I loved it. I really want to return to Guatemala after the mission and I think coming with the bishop would be a huge blessing and opportunidad. This week Allie Stevens got her mission call. She will be going to the LA Temple Visitors Center Spanish speaking. That is so cool. We are going to write and be mission buddies and talk Spanish. Your Spanish is really good too Mom. In an email I got from Jessica Stevens she said her niece was in her room looking at the pictures in the frame I gave her and pointing out Jessica and she was also pointing me out and saying J-sen. She loved it and when they left the room she came back and kept looking at our pics. It was way cute. They took pics and are sending pics of her blowing kisses and being adorable. This week was really cool. Elder Carlos Amado of the Seventies came. I got to go to two of the three conferences he did. The first one I had to buy pizza for everyone. I bought 28 pizzas, one for each companionship. It was a lot but somehow there was not a pizza for us in the office, I have no idea how it happened. But we did get a free calzone. On Thurday I ordered Taco Bell for the conference. 75 orders of the Big Box, the most fast food I have ever ordered. I learned that because we are ordering a lot and do it often from these places I'm going to bargain. I got 5 free desserts, way cool. The food was a success Thursday. The conferences were amazing. He knows so much about the scriptures and Christ. I learned a lot about the doctrine and questions and about how I have the authority of God. Very cool stuff. Some things were to help the mission improve. Yesterday we had a meeting with President about what to do to have more success and make changes that Elder Amado said. The meeting was very spiritual and Elder Card and others received revelation to help us. It was awesome watching President and very humbling. I want to be like President Maravilla. Such a spiritual, powerful, successful, loving man. The last thing fun this week was yesterday night the office elders said we are going to have a sleep over. We brought our beds to the office and laid them all out and then watched the movie the RM. It was so funny and I think even better cause I am a missionary now. Have you seen that movie? What a fun time with the elders here. Sleep over, movie, today bowling. They are great and spiritual too. I'm learning a lot and growing a lot, increasing my spirit. Thank you for your letters, for your love, and support. I like that sis and others are talking about me. I send my love to every one of them. I love you and am grateful for all you do. Can't wait to talk to you again. Thank you for the letters, the dearelders, the prayers, and your love. You are the best! Love Son

Hello Again - January 21, 2012

It's a good thing you checked your email today. Now I have another chance to talk to you. Lots of changes but it's good. It is really great to see Elder Card, he is the companion I get along best with. He really is an amazing guy. I think this will teach me much and like we said open future doors. I will be very careful with where I go and what I do. I will be wise and obedient so I will have success. The dinner party with pics will be way fun. You and the Beus are going to go back to the Philippines right. That will be very fun. Craziest weather I have heard of in Utah. Warm weather, no snow, rain, super wind, crazy stuff. I'm glad there is no flooding. I will try to get that pic sent again. I like sending you pics and now in the office it will be a little easier. Very different having Pdays on Saturday and working Mondays. But Mondays we go to the Family Home Evenings of President so that is really cool. With this new assignment I will most likely be here a while. Elder Card was in the office for about 8 months. So I think it will be about the same for me then only 5 months to finish working hard in the field or where ever. I will love to write more and share my adventures with you. Love you Mom and I'm glad you got this email today and we could talk again. Love Son

Familia Flores,best members I met in the 2 weeks

Sweet old Hno QuiQui & his wife, they own the restaurant and our house

Me at the mission office

My new office in the mission office, thats right I have a office now